EP2042814B1 - System for ventilating inside a protected test vehicle with an area for carrying contaminated probes - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a pressure cascade provided between a space, vehicle internal space (2) and an environment (9), where the space accommodates contaminated samples, and an interior space is separated by the space for safe admission of a crew. A supply air blower (12) creates as inner positive pressure in the internal space for the environment, where positive pressure is present in the space opposite to the internal space. A set of pressure relief valves (5, 6) and filters (5.1, 6.1) are integrated between the internal space and the space and between the space and the environment.

Description

An inspection vehicle of this kind is, for example, in the closest prior art EP 1 319 918 B1 described. Here, the recorded samples in an analysis chamber, such as a glove box, treated by a vehicle crew from a sheltered room and analyzed, the safety workstation has a suction fan to ensure the falling pressure cascade.

The use of a compressed air protection system also sees the CH 443 031 in front. This serves to provide the vehicle compartment with breathable and in the vehicle interior a positive pressure generating air.

A valve for controlling the air pressure within a protected space bounded by wall surfaces is DE 60 2004 001 056 T2 ( EP 1 443 284 B1 ) removable. The flap valve used in this case is installed in a window of a protected room and serves to release excessive pressure through the window from the pollutant-free area into the contaminated environment.

A system for regulating the ambient air records the DE 699 31 090 T2 ( EP 0 935 102 B1 ) on. To provide a continuous supply of clean air at a desired temperature for the crew members of a combat vehicle, a PSA (pressure swing adsorption) system is used. This includes filters that are filled with an adsorbent material that adsorbs gases under pressure and desorbs gases once the pressure is removed.

The aforementioned solutions are thus based on the inclusion of additional components. You are in stationary operation. The space requirement, the energy consumption and weight problems prove to be inflexible.

The object of the invention is to ensure a safe operation of a particular mobile examination vehicle with safety workstation or places in relation to the ventilation of the people living room under protective air conditions with simple means.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea to realize the safe operation by means of an independent structure of a pressure cascade between a vehicle interior, the workplaces and the environment, wherein not every working space is extracted by a separate support fan. On an exhaust air extraction as an additional device is omitted.

The construction of the pressure cascade is preferably carried out by using a vehicle or object's own ABC protection system. The positive pressure build-up and the promoting volume flow of the ABC protection system of the vehicle (object, laboratory, etc.) are specially used for this, with decreasing overpressure to the outside air from the crew compartment or interior space via a contaminated samples receiving space, such as a glove box (see also http://www.gloveboxes.com ) or isolator to the environment the cascade is built up.

The adjustment of the pressure differences can be done by using pressure relief valves with upstream or downstream filter elements (Schwebstofffilter), so as to prevent ingress of contaminated air. These filter elements are preferably monitored for differential pressure.

The principle of the pressure cascade is that an internal overpressure to the environment protects the operator in the vehicle or the like against the ingress of contamination. This principle of independent construction of the pressure cascade can be applied to examination vehicles, which are understood here also mobile laboratories, etc., with or without a personal lock.

Due to the principle of operation of the pressure relief valves of the supply and exhaust air of the glove box arises within this a pressure gradient relative to the crew compartment. The Drudkdifferenz from the box to the outside air is due to the pressure in the box and the ambient pressure. The air that passes through the box is filtered at entry and exit to prevent sample analysis from being distorted by improper air quality and to protect the environment from contamination. Prior to the introduction of the samples, it is possible to decontaminate the interior of the box in order to report the escape of pollutants for the environment due to a lack of exhaust air filtration in the lock operation.

It is thus proposed a Arbeksplatz ventilation concept without own exhaust air extraction, in which the advantage lies in particular in the use of existing vehicle-specific components. It is a pressure cascade between an interior to accommodate a crew, etc., a, the contaminated samples receiving space and an environment built, characterized in that a Zuluftgebläse in the interior creates an internal pressure to the environment and in the space relative to the interior, a negative pressure exists or created, for which between the interior and the space and between the space pressure relief valves and filters involved, so that these are regulated at least in the working mode, the supply and exhaust air within the premises. With such a concept, much protection is achieved with a small amount of exhaust air. The pressure rating also serves to flush the departments.

The same concept can also be used as protective ventilation for mobile laboratories with two (or more) air-separated safety workstations (laminar flow field / glove box).

The pressure cascade is operated in a first version without personal lock in the so-called protection principle - the working and the transfer operation. The overpressure is maintained in the sluice-in as well as the working mode by an ABC protective air blower.

In the Einschleusbetrieb there is always a negative pressure of the space / glove box against the interior of the vehicle, etc. in andauemder flow. The air escapes from the Mannachafts- or, interior via a pressure relief valve and a supply air filter into the glove box and then through the rear of the vehicle and the lock door to the outside. Furthermore, air can escape into the environment during the introduction of samples via an on-board pressure relief valve, if the air conveyed by the ABC protection system is not completely released to the environment via the glove box.

If, on the other hand, the system is not in sluice-in operation but in working mode, there is a pressure cascade from the crew compartment via the glove box to the outside. In this operating state, the lock door is closed. In operation, the pressure cascade is maintained by a further pressure relief valve, through which the air pressure-lossy discharged from the glove box to the environment with upstream filter.

The positioning of the supply air opening in the glove box and the exhaust opening from the glove box is chosen so that a diagonal flow through the glove box is ensured.

Under ABC protection conditions, in a further variant, safe operation is ensured with the possibility of on-site sampling by persons if there is a reusable personal airlock. The transfer of material from the vehicle environment to the safety workplaces takes place via a material lock, from which the samples can be introduced into the respective workstation. This also takes place under a pressure cascade and by means of directed air currents. Safe operation is thus also achieved by targeted air flows due to the pressure build-up by the connected rooms.

In lock operation it is provided that the lock preferably builds up automatically. The structure is filled from the inside of the object with compressed air and can unfold by itself. The lock is formed by an inflatable lock chamber, which consists of at least a floor segment, side panels and a roof and an outer door in a preferred embodiment. To form a firmer structure or lock deployable supports are provided as a support structure to which the lock chamber is attached or attached. The supports can be filled by means of air, water, etc., air being preferred.

The lock is supplied with defined air passage from the object or vehicle with filtered air from the ABC protection ventilation system and unfolds. The ventilation system generates a graduated ventilation cascade from the object / vehicle via the lock entrance system to the surroundings. The air flowing out of a pressure relief valve of the object / vehicle is conducted into the lock time or the lock chamber. All doors and openings are kept closed until the required pressure is built up. In order to be able to use the volume flow of the ABC protective ventilation system for flushing the lock time within the shortest possible time, the glove box network system is preferably moved to a save mode in the case of transfer of persons. The air inlet system filled with ABC filtered air is ready to be discharged. The pressure cascades or the pressure gradient between object, lock and outside thus enables the smuggling of material and persons.

After completion of the lock operation, when the operator is again inside the object, the lock can be folded. The folding can be done passively by known mechanical means, for example, on the side of the rubber bands attached. However, preference is given to a simple active variant. In this case, the subsequent flow of air can be stopped by a preferred over-pressure relief valve and both the support structure and the interior of the lock are actively vented.

In all variants, the adjustable overpressure in the vehicle compartment protects the operators in the vehicle from the environment to prevent contamination, and the overpressure in the vehicle is maintained by an ABC protection system. The air from the vehicle interior or the crew compartment escapes via at least one pressure relief valve, for example in the roof, during normal operation. When operating with the personal lock, the valve in particular becomes active in the rear area.

Reference to an embodiment with drawing, the invention will be explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

ein Belüftungskonzept im Normalbetrieb;

Fig. 2

ein Belüftungskonzept im Transferbetrieb;

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Belüftungekonzept für ein Labor mit wenigstens zwei getrennten Sicherheitsarbeltsplätzen;

Fig. 4

ein Belüftungskonzept für ein Labor mit Personenschleuse;

Fig. 5

eine Umsetzung des Konzeptes aus Fig. 4.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a ventilation concept in normal operation;

Fig. 2

a ventilation concept in transfer operation;

Fig. 3

another ventilation concept for a laboratory with at least two separate security workstations;

Fig. 4

a ventilation concept for a laboratory with personal lock;

Fig. 5

an implementation of the concept Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 1 such as Fig. 2 show, for example, a mobile laboratory 1 or the like examination device (stylized) with a crew or vehicle interior 2 for a not shown team, one of the crew compartment 2 separate analysis chamber 3 (a kind of glove box), which in turn gets introduced via a vehicle rear 4 with lock door 4.1 samples. The vehicle interior 2 is ABC sealed off from the chamber 3.

With 5 and 6 so-called pressure relief valves are the Zuluft- or Schwebstofffilter 5.1, 6.1 (filter class according to DIN - HEPA filter, preferably v = 80 - 120 m ³ / h) before or, downstream and part of a pressure cascade 10 and in a wall 7 between the vehicle interior 2 and the box 3 or in a wall 8 between the box 3 and the environment 9 are integrated. The pressure relief valves 5, 6 are differential pressure monitored.

In the wall 11 between the vehicle interior 2 and the environment 9 is a Zuluftgebläse 12 (preferably with v = 200 m ³ / h) and another pressure relief valve 13 is integrated. The Zuluftgebläse 12 may be part of a non-illustrated, preferably on-board ABC protection system with suspended matter and gas filter.

The ventilation concept looks like this;

In the vehicle interior 2, an internal overpressure of about 700 Pa to the environment 9 is created, whereby the crew is protected, for example, from the ingress of contamination. This overpressure is maintained by the Zuluftgebläse 12. At the same time prevails over the vehicle interior 2 always a negative pressure of about 360 Pa in the glove box 3 with continuous flow.

I. Normal or working operation

If the system is in working mode, there is a pressure cascade 10 from the vehicle interior 2 (for example 750 Pa) via the box 3 (for example 350 Pa) to the outside (= 0 Pa). The overpressure of 700 Pa to the environment 9 also generates the supply air fan 12, the lock door 4.1 is closed. The pressure cascade 10 is maintained in this case by the pressure relief valves 5 and the further pressure relief valve 6, through which ultimately the pressure loss-laden air is discharged from the box 3 to the environment 9 with upstream filter 6.1. The positioning of the supply air opening (5) in the box and the exhaust port (6) of the box 3 is preferably chosen so that a diagonal flow through the box 3 is ensured.

II. Transfer operation / introduction of the samples

The air escapes from the vehicle interior 2 via the pressure relief valve 5 or via the Zuluftfilter 5.1 as a pressure loss component in the case of the introduction of samples (not shown) in the box 3 and from there through the vehicle rear 4 and the lock door 4.1 to the outside. Furthermore, the air can escape in practice during the introduction of samples via the vehicle's pressure relief valve 13 in the environment 9, if the funded by the Zuluftgebläse 12 air is not completely discharged through the box 3 to the environment 9. The differential pressure in the passenger compartment 2 drops from 700 Pa to a minimum of 600 Pa, that in the box from 600 Pa to 0 Pa.

By this operating principle of the pressure relief valves 5, 6 of the intake and exhaust air of the box 3 is formed within the box 3, a pressure gradient relative to the vehicle interior 2 of about 350 Pa. The pressure difference from the box to the outside air (environment 9) consists of the overpressure in the box 3 and the ambient pressure.

The air passing through the box 3 may preferably be filtered at entry and exit so as not to distort the sample analysis by improper air quality.

Fig. 3 shows a ventilation concept for a laboratory or vehicle interior 20 with, for example, two separate safety workplaces 21, 23. Between the two there is a material transfer lock 22, in which the samples to be examined (not shown in detail) can be introduced from the outside. The safety workstation 21 in this case is, for example, a laminar flow field (LLF), as a rule an open workstation, but can also be a glove box like the second safety workstation 23. Between the vehicle interior 20 and the workstations 21, 23 and the workplaces 21, 23 and the environment, filters 25, for example HEPA filters, as well as at least one gas filter 26 or also a HEPA filter are placed in the walls. The two filters 25 between the workplaces and the environment are in the wall of a so-called glove box - technical room 24. Another filter 27, also a HEPA filter, is included in the glove box 23 for filtering when rinsing the glove - Box 23. The technical room 24 has the environment towards the filter 26 downstream suction fan (not shown). With 28 two overpressure filters are integrated in the outer wall of the vehicle, with 29 another filter (HEPA filter) between the vehicle interior 20 and the lock 22nd

An in Fig. 4 shown variant involves a personal lock 40 with. The workplaces marked 31, 32 and 33 are also an LLF, a material lock and a glove box. The internal structure (arrangement of the filters) is identical to that of Fig. 3 , These places are also ventilated with a so-called glove box technical room 34, in which the exhaust fan is located. A pressure relief valve 35 is incorporated, for example in the roof of the analysis room or vehicle interior 30, a pressure relief valve 36 in the rear door of the analysis room 30. In the personal lock 40, a return flap 37 is also integrated.

In this variant, in addition, a regulation of the amount of air in the system takes place in accordance with the working mode. If the system is operated in the so-called ABC-GBVS (Gloveboxverbundsystem) mode, less supply air from the system to transport, in the present mode, for example, only 100 m ³ / h are discharged from the system to the environment 101. In normal ABC mode it is 180 m ³ / h, for ventilation in GBVS mode for example 200m ³ / h and for simple ventilation 280 m ³ / h.

If a personal air lock (PS) is integrated, the air regulation can be carried out under consideration of the personal airlock. In the ABC GBVS mode 100 m ³ / h are discharged from the system, in the ABC-PS mode 180 m / h, in the other 0.

Both ventilation concepts are also based on the construction of a pressure cascade 100 between the analysis room 20, 30 and the boxes or workplaces with the environment 101, which is contaminated in the rule. The boxes or workstations are preferably ventilated with the outer wall of the laboratory or vehicle etc. Exhaust fan in the engine room 24, 34 serve to set a negative pressure as protection against the vehicle interior 20, 30 so as to prevent backflow.

In the event of a system failure, which would cause the pressure cascade to drop as overpressure is not ensured, the exhaust fan is used to maintain a pressure differential between the workplaces and the vehicle interior. For this purpose, the pressure system or the air flow is measured.

In order to avoid cross-contamination, in particular within the glove box 23, 33, the air circulation in the glove box is made such that when circulating air from the work table (not shown) is guided downwards over an air duct upwards.

It is understood that this principle is not only used in mobile laboratories or the like. Rather, this principle can also be used for stationary objects.

Fig. 5 shows a practical implementation variant of the concept Fig. 4 , This shows a collapsible lock 40. The lock 40 consists of inflatable air struts 41 as a support structure of the lock 40, Rare walls 42, a floor segment 43 and a roof 44, which form a lock chamber 45. One of the side walls 42 has an airtight outer door 46, another preferably a window. The supports 41 are operatively connected to a fan (not shown in detail) or another, the supports 3 for unfolding aggregate.

The lock 40 can be attached to a grounded outlet / access, etc., for example to a container (not shown in detail) with an access door 47 integrated therein. The supports 41 have been filled, for example, with air and thereby have the functional position brought. The side walls 42 of the lock 40 were guided from the folded state to an unfolded position.

Claims (8)

1. System for ventilating inside a protected test vehicle (1) or the like, having at least one area (3) for accommodating contaminated samples, and an interior space (2) which is partitioned off from this area (3) and has the purpose of safely accommodating a crew, characterized in that a pressure cascade (10) is built up between the interior space (2), the area (3) and a surrounding area (9) by means of

   - an inflow blower (12) which produces an internal overpressure in the interior space (2) with respect to the surrounding area (9), wherein

   - an underpressure is present in the area (3) with respect to the interior space (2),
   and

   - overpressure valves (5, 6) and filters (5.1, 6.1), which are installed between the interior space (2) and the area (3), as well as between the area (3) and the surroundings (9).
2. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that in the feed-in mode the air passes from the interior space (2) via the overpressure valve (5) into the area (3) and from there to the outside through the rear part (4) of the vehicle and the airlock door (4.1).
3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during the feeding in of samples via a vehicle-specific overpressure valve (13), which is located between the interior space (2) and the surrounding area (9), air can escape into the surrounding area (9) if the air conveyed by the inflow blower (12) is not completely output into the surrounding area (9) via the area (3).
4. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positioning of the inflow opening (overpressure valve 5) in the area (3) and of the outflow opening (overpressure valve 6) of the area (3) are selected in such a way that a diagonal flow through the area (3) is ensured.
5. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the air which flows through the area (3) is filtered when it enters and exits.
6. System according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that there is the possibility of decontaminating the inner space of the area (3) before the samples are fed in.
7. System according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an unfoldable airlock (40) with a defined air passage from the object or vehicle (20) with filtered air from the ABC protective ventilation system is supplied.
8. System according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a stepped ventilation cascade is produced from the object/vehicle (20) via the airlock input system as far as the surroundings.

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